Friends, family recall former Westminster chief

July 10, 2013

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 12:28 p.m.

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Memorial services were held for James Mitch Waller Wednesday. Daughter Kiana, wife Sally and son Chase Waller, from left, thank well-wishers following a memorial service at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa in Santa Ana. Waller, 53, of Mission Viejo died while bicycling near the Highway 133 near the 73 toll road in June. Waller was struck by a car and died. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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James Mitch Waller's children Chase and Kiana Waller pause to collect themselves emotionally as they recall their father's strong influence in their lives. A public memorial service was held for the retired Westminster police chief and city manager at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa in Santa Ana Wednesday. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Westminster Police Chief Kevin Baker presents widow Sally Waller with a ceremonial flag in honor of her husband James Mitch Waller. Waller was struck by a car while bicycling in June. The memorial services were held at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa in Santa Ana Wednesday. Waller's brother Jonathan Waller is second from left and son Chase Waller is at right. Daughter Kiana is behind her mother. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

James Mitch Waller was a retired Westminster police chief and city manager. COURTESY OF THE WESTMINSTER POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Jonathan Waller takes a moment to compose himself as he eulogizes his brother James Mitch Waller on Wednesday. A public memorial service was held at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa in Santa Ana. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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As brother-in-law Rich Brady recalls humorous moments in James Mitch Waller's life, Waller's family, daughter Kiana, wife Sally and son Chase, react with smiles. The public memorial service was held at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa in Santa Ana Wednesday. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

James Mitch Waller family friend and Waller's daughter Kiana's softball coach Anthony Sota delivers an emotional eulogy for the retired Westminster police chief and city manager. He cited Kiana Waller's inner strength, a trait he says came from her dad. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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James Mitch Waller's family enters the sanctuary at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa in Santa Ana. Daughter Kiana, wife Sally and son Chase joined family, friends, co-workers and the public in honoring his memory Wednesday. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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James Mitch Waller's friend and neighbor Steve Peters addresses mourners at memorial services for retired James Mitch Waller on Wednesday.The services were held at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa in Santa Ana Wednesday. Peters recalled how Waller would always deliver an invigorating morning greeting of "You're good to go!" H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

A slideshow with accompanying music showcasing James Mitch Waller's life was seen on multiple screens during memorial services in the sanctuary of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa in Santa Ana Wednesday. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A Waller family photo graces the memorial services for James Mitch Waller, a retired Westminster police chief and city manager, on Wednesday. Waller leaves behind his son Chase, daughter Kiana and wife, Sally Waller. COURTESY OF THE WALLER FAMILY

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A mourner holds a program at James Mitch Waller's memorial service on Wednesday. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Memorial services were held for James Mitch Waller Wednesday. Daughter Kiana, wife Sally and son Chase Waller, from left, thank well-wishers following a memorial service at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa in Santa Ana. Waller, 53, of Mission Viejo died while bicycling near the Highway 133 near the 73 toll road in June. Waller was struck by a car and died.H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

When Jonathan Waller was driving home from work and got pulled over by a police officer, it was one of the more terrifying experiences of his life. The officer pulled up next to him, laughed and drove away.

That officer playing a prank was his brother, James "Mitch" Waller, the former Westminster Chief of Police and City Manager.

Waller held a deep passion for his career in law enforcement, evidenced by the officers who joined hundreds of other friends, family, neighbors and softball players at a memorial service Wednesday for Waller.

Waller, an avid bicyclist, was struck by a car June 28 while riding along Highway 133 near the 73 toll road.

Waller meant something different to everyone. He was an assistant softball coach on his daughter's team, a handyman who could fix cars and ovens, a body builder, an uncle who referred to "chimichangas" as "chicken pizza" and a dedicated member of the law enforcement.

"It was no secret where his passion lay when policing – traffic," Westminster Police Chief Kevin Baker said. "He loved the adrenaline rush of the assignment. He was born for it."

Baker said Waller was special the day he put on his Westminster Police uniform, describing him as the soul to public service.

"He was committed to helping people and nothing would stop him," Baker said.

Waller rose through ranks to the top position at the Westminster Police Department, joining the police department as a probationary officer in 1984 and being selected as police chief in 2009. In 2011, he moved to City Hall, assuming the role of City Manager.

"He was a leader until the very end," he said. "Why leave the comforts of policing and risk his job? Because that's what leaders do."

Neighbor Steve Peters recalled a time there was a power outage. While the children were excited about no school and most of the adults were worrying about how to cook dinner, Waller, who Peters dubbed 'the neighborhood ambassador,' hosted a barbeque for the street.

"He was bigger than life, but you never knew it if you knew him," he said.

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